Former Hampshire left-hander Andy Sexton believes that Bashley (Rydal) have the capability of becoming ECB Southern Electric Premier League champions for the first time.

Sexton, in his first spell of captaining the New Forest side, led from the front as Bashley pulled off a nine-run win over reigning champions BAT Sports at Southern Gardens.

"We're playing some good cricket at the moment and beating BAT will inject massive confidence into the dressing room," he said.

"We've got as good a chance as some of the others of winning the title, though don't forget we're not even half way yet.

"We are a well balanced side, with plenty of depth in every department and I thought we played very well against BAT."

The first v second duel produced top-draw entertainment for the sun-drenched spectators, with 579 runs being scored and the result being in doubt right until the end.

Sexton, who made four first class appearances for Hampshire in 2000, was the driving force at the top of the innings as Bashley powered to 294-8 after being put in to bat.

He hit 15 fours in a splendid 96 and shared a plentiful 155-run stand with Neil Thurgood (75) during the pre and post-lunch periods.

Australian Drew Porter (29) showed his prowess with a nifty knock, but Bashley lost their way a little in mid-afternoon as David Banks (4-55) and Lee Savident (3-65) made inroads.

They finished with 294-8 off the full 64 overs but might have scored more.

BAT, who saw their unbeaten start shattered at South Wilts last week, were positive from the off.

Savident was in a rich vein of form, cracking ten boundaries in his first 44 by tea.

He saw Kevin Nash (4-59) remove two partners in consecutive deliveries Simon Barnard's unhappy BAT baptism has so far produced three successive ducks but remained totally positive.

Savident and James Hibberd added 120 for the third wicket mainly in boundaries as BAT chased the target down.

Savident, with 15 fours in an excellent 78, was superbly caught low down by Porter, but Hibberd carried on and plundered another 59 with Archie Norris.

Hibberd's eventual departure for a bold 77 at 215-4 prompted a middle-order wobble and, at 225-6, Bashley were probably slight favourites.

Norris, who made 62 before going for one extravagant shot too many, put BAT firmly back in the frame at 264-6.

But Paul Cass (4-63), who had removed the dangerous Savident, switched ends and ripped out two BAT lower-order batsmen for just six runs.

Even at 270-9, BAT refused to lay down or settle for a draw and with the free-hitting Dan Goldstraw still at the crease, any result was still possible.

But, at 285-9 and only ten runs required for victory, Cass breached the left-hander's defence and Bashley had claimed a notable victory.

It had been positive cricket all the way. A fine advertisement for the Premier League.

A second consecutive defeat for BAT, but there's a long way to go